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Democrat Mary Peltola expands narrow lead in Alaska Senate battle but race remains too close to call nine days after election
Mary Peltola has widened her lead over Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s closely contested Senate race, though the result remains undecided. The count has drawn scrutiny over allegations that a similarly named candidate was recruited to confuse voters, while Donald Trump has claimed Sullivan won and called the election rigged.
The Associated Press has processed 86 per cent of ballots, with Peltola on 48.9 per cent and Sullivan on about 47.3 per cent. Neither has passed the 50 per cent threshold needed to win outright, so Alaska’s ranked-choice system may determine the outcome. Counting is due to finish by 18 November, with official certification not expected before 25 November; a judge has also rejected Peltola’s request for records on absentee ballots flagged for possible rejection.
In short
- Peltola’s lead over Sullivan has grown to nearly 4,000 votes.
- Neither candidate has reached the 50 per cent threshold.
- Alaska expects to finish counting by 18 November.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Peltola’s supporters can argue that her expanding lead in a close race merits a full, transparent count, and that access to records about ballots flagged for possible rejection is important to voters’ confidence in the process. They may also see scrutiny of a similarly named candidate as a legitimate concern if there is evidence voters could have been misled.
The case against
Sullivan’s supporters can argue that the result should remain undecided until all eligible ballots are counted and the ranked-choice process is complete, rather than treating a partial tally as conclusive. They may also contend that election rules should be applied consistently and that a court’s rejection of Peltola’s records request does not, by itself, show that ballots were improperly handled; claims of victory or rigging still require evidence.
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